Update by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District 11:00 a.m., February 20, 2022
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District is currently investigating fires that broke out in the storm drain system beneath Highway 101 and the 5700 block of Via Real on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 19 and early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 20.
Carpinteria-Summerland firefighters were out picking up dinner Saturday evening when they noticed smoke, called it into the South Coast Dispatch Center and responded to the scene at approximately 5:55 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke and flames coming from two manhole covers and another opening under a bridge along Highway 101 between Bailard and Casitas Pass Rd, as well as along the 5700 block of Via Real.
Southern California Gas was called to the scene and determined no gas lines were involved in the incident.
Carpinteria Sanitary District also responded to investigate whether a broken sewer line could be the source of the fire but that was also ruled out.
Due to firefighting efforts and safety concerns, Highway 101 northbound was shut down at approximately 6:30 p.m. from Bailard to Casitas Pass Rd. The 5700 block of Via Real was also closed to traffic.
The storm drain where the fire occurred is lined with a thick plastic material which caused the fire to continue burning with intensity for several hours. Firefighters were able to gain control and extinguish the flames by 7:45 p.m. Saturday by pumping large quantities of water into the storm drain.
Fire officials coordinated with Caltrans and CHP reopen the northbound lanes of Highway 101 by 9:20 p.m. Saturday. However, Via Real remained closed.
During the first incident, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire was assisted by Montecito Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire Department and Ventura County Fire Department. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers also responded to the scene to assist with traffic control.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday, local road construction workers reported seeing smoke coming from the storm drain system in the same area.
The closure of Highway 101 northbound from Bailard to Casitas Pass Rd was reissued to allow for emergency operations at about 2:30 a.m. Sunday.
Carpinteria-Summerland firefighters responded to the scene and requested Montecito Fire’s engine that is specially equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS). Firefighters sprayed the foam into the storm drain to eliminate the fire’s oxygen source and successfully extinguish it.
As a result of this firefighting tactic, foam entered Carpinteria Creek. Environmentalists from the City of Carpinteria and a Santa Barbara County Hazmat inspector determined that the firefighting foam material is an allowable discharge under the State Water Board’s regulations. It is expected to dissipate naturally.
By 5 a.m. Sunday, the closure of Highway 101 northbound was lifted.
The 5700 block of Via Real will be closed until a safety assessment in completed. At this time, community members are asked to please abide by the closure due to potential safety issues along that stretch of road.
Both fires are currently being investigated by Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. Updates will be provided as they become available.
This incident update was compiled by the Montecito Fire public information office, in coordination with the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Protection District. For media questions, please contact Montecito Fire Public Information Officer Christina Favuzzi at 805-680-5526 or cfavuzzi@montecitofire.com or Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Chief Greg Fish at 818-355-8471 or g.fish@csfd.net.
Update by Montecito Fire Department 5:00 a.m., February 20, 2022
UPDATE 5AM: The northbound lanes of Highway 101 from Bailard to Casitas Pass are open again. The 5700 block of Via Real remains closed. @CSFPD firefighters will stay at the scene to monitor the situation. The cause of this fire is currently being investigated.
Update by Montecito Fire Department 2:50 a.m., February 20, 2022
Highway 101 NB is CLOSED from Bailard to Casitas Pass due to smoke coming from manhole covers. This is the same location as Saturday evening’s incident. Firefighters from @CSFPD and Montecito Fire are on scene, along with @CaltransD5 & CHP. Updates to follow.
Update by Montecito Fire Department 9:19 p.m., February 19, 2022
UPDATE: NB lanes of Highway 101 are back open. 5700 hundred block of Via Real remains closed to traffic for emergency operations. Please drive safely through the area.
Update by Montecito Fire Department 8:30 p.m., February 19, 2022
FFs are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out in a storm drain under Hwy 101 this evening in the Carpinteria area. NB lanes closed until at least 9:30pm. On behalf of all involved agencies, we appreciate your patience as we work to secure the scene & reopen the hwy.
FFs are investigating the cause of the fire that broke out in a storm drain under Hwy 101 this evening in the Carpinteria area. NB lanes closed until at least 9:30pm. On behalf of all involved agencies, we appreciate your patience as we work to secure the scene & reopen the hwy. pic.twitter.com/N5XhzVkWc9
Update by Montecito Fire Department 8:00 p.m., February 19, 2022
UPDATE: Hwy 101 thru Carp to remain closed until at least 9:30PM due to fire in storm drain under the highway. Fire was extinguished by 7:45 p.m. but investigation into the cause is still in progress. Montecito Fire assisting @CSFPD  along with @VCFD, @sbsheriff & @CHP_SantaBarb
Update by Montecito Fire Department 6:30 p.m., February 19, 2022
FIRE: Montecito Firefighters are assisting @CSFPD with a fire burning beneath a bridge along Highway 101 northbound through Carpinteria. Highway 101 northbound is closed in the area. Fire reported at 5:55 p.m. in the 5700 block of Via Real, Carpinteria.
Reported by Scanner Andrew 6:00 p.m., February 19, 2022
Carpinteria-Summerland Fire are on scene of a fire from possibly a gas pipe in the 5700 block of Via Real in Carpinteria
Fire is coming from the manhole cover
Fire is coming from the manhole cover
Is this the manhole right near the freeway entrance by the 3 gas stations? I’ve seen that there has been problems in the past at that location, and also have gotten a very bad smell of H2S. Several times I’ve seen city workers cleaning that manhole
Is this the manhole right near the freeway entrance by the 3 gas stations? I’ve seen that there has been problems in the past at that location, and also have gotten a very bad smell of H2S. Several times I’ve seen city workers cleaning that manhole
Sounds like you're talking about Santa Monica Road. This fire is at Hwy 101 NB Casitas Pass offramp
Sounds like you're talking about Santa Monica Road. This fire is at Hwy 101 NB Casitas Pass offramp
No. It's north of Casitas pass rd.
No. It's north of Casitas pass rd.
Looks like Ventura County Fire is also on scene assisting
Looks like Ventura County Fire is also on scene assisting
Montecito Fire is also on scene
Montecito Fire is also on scene
Multiple vehicles reversing on the freeway to avoid traffic
Multiple vehicles reversing on the freeway to avoid traffic
CHP on scene said they don't need 101 NB closed, just SB.
CHP on scene said they don't need 101 NB closed, just SB.
Why would they need the SB closed?!? It's on the north side of the freeway!
Why would they need the SB closed?!? It's on the north side of the freeway!
101 NB definitely is closed, this is happening on the NB side of the freeway. Also watching the CalTrans camera, there is only traffic on the SB side
101 NB definitely is closed, this is happening on the NB side of the freeway. Also watching the CalTrans camera, there is only traffic on the SB side
Correct, NB closed, CalTrans en route to assist with closure. Seems a flexible situation.
Correct, NB closed, CalTrans en route to assist with closure. Seems a flexible situation.
Correct, NB closed, CalTrans en route to assist with closure. Seems a flexible situation.
Correct, NB closed, CalTrans en route to assist with closure. Seems a flexible situation.
Fire in the sewage drain
Fire in the sewage drain
Vehicles are making U-turns at Bailard NB onramp almost colliding with other vehicles
Vehicles are making U-turns at Bailard NB onramp almost colliding with other vehicles
CHP unit is now at Bailard diverting vehicles off
CHP unit is now at Bailard diverting vehicles off
Per Sheriff unit the fire has ignited again, 20 feet high
Per Sheriff unit the fire has ignited again, 20 feet high
Needing a Ventura CHP unit to divert traffic further south of Bailard.
Needing a Ventura CHP unit to divert traffic further south of Bailard.
Still watching the Caltrans camera, still smoke coming out
Still watching the Caltrans camera, still smoke coming out
Public works is on scene at Bailard
Public works is on scene at Bailard
Sheriff deputy says waze is directing drivers to the fire
Sheriff deputy says waze is directing drivers to the fire
There was some confusion with CHP and Sheriff on traffic control in the area
There was some confusion with CHP and Sheriff on traffic control in the area
Caltrans enroute to Hwy 101 and 150 for closure
Caltrans enroute to Hwy 101 and 150 for closure
Hard closure at Vial Real & Casitas Pass Road, Via Real & Bailard, Poplar
Hard closure at Vial Real & Casitas Pass Road, Via Real & Bailard, Poplar
SB City fire truck 71 is enroute to the incident
SB City fire truck 71 is enroute to the incident
The fire flares up everytime they try to put water on it. The gas company is on scene. No evacuations at this point
The fire flares up everytime they try to put water on it. The gas company is on scene. No evacuations at this point
Public works is advising people are taking down the signs and cones on Bailard
Public works is advising people are taking down the signs and cones on Bailard
Vehicles are driving the wrong way up the onramp at Bailard
Vehicles are driving the wrong way up the onramp at Bailard
Vehicles are going in reverse in center divider
Vehicles are going in reverse in center divider
What’s going on what’s the update Giovanni cara de volcan
What’s going on what’s the update Giovanni cara de volcan
Looking at the cameras , both lanes are moving freely.
Looking at the cameras , both lanes are moving freely.
Hard closure now at Hwy 150
Hard closure now at Hwy 150
Northbound is NOT moving at Bailard. Been sitting her since it began!
Northbound is NOT moving at Bailard. Been sitting her since it began!
Pedestrians are walking in the lanes. Smoke coming from under the freeway
Pedestrians are walking in the lanes. Smoke coming from under the freeway
Just read about this elsewhere and looked at the CHP page. Looks like the biggest cluster-* in traffic that I've ever seen in our area. Well, not counting mudslides shutting 101. Wow. Seems to be some miscommunications between agencies, along with some spread of fire. Interesting. https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx
Just read about this elsewhere and looked at the CHP page. Looks like the biggest cluster-* in traffic that I've ever seen in our area. Well, not counting mudslides shutting 101. Wow. Seems to be some miscommunications between agencies, along with some spread of fire. Interesting. https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx
Fire crews are putting a camera in the pipe, and they'll advise if they can open a couple of lanes. For now the NB side remains closed from Hwy 150 to Casitas Pass. Granite Construction is on scene.
Fire crews are putting a camera in the pipe, and they'll advise if they can open a couple of lanes. For now the NB side remains closed from Hwy 150 to Casitas Pass. Granite Construction is on scene.
8:47 PM - PER ADDTL SMOKE COMING FRM UNDER FWY// RP DOES FEEL SAFE WHERE SHE IS NB JNO BAILARD BRIDGE IN SLO LN 9:07 - FIRE WILL PUT CAMERA INTO TE PIPE // WILL ADVS IF THEY CAN OPEN A COUPLE OF LNS 9:09 - CLOSURE IS NB FRM 150 TO CASITAS PASS // VIA REAL BLKED AND TRFC DIVERTING SB // GRANITE IS 97 AT THE SCENE // STILL UNK ETA TO OPEN
8:47 PM - PER ADDTL SMOKE COMING FRM UNDER FWY// RP DOES FEEL SAFE WHERE SHE IS NB JNO BAILARD BRIDGE IN SLO LN 9:07 - FIRE WILL PUT CAMERA INTO TE PIPE // WILL ADVS IF THEY CAN OPEN A COUPLE OF LNS 9:09 - CLOSURE IS NB FRM 150 TO CASITAS PASS // VIA REAL BLKED AND TRFC DIVERTING SB // GRANITE IS 97 AT THE SCENE // STILL UNK ETA TO OPEN
Well now sheriff are escorting NB traffic through the scene, even though CHP just said there is no ETA to open
Well now sheriff are escorting NB traffic through the scene, even though CHP just said there is no ETA to open
Thank goodness for those stuck Thanks for your reporting!
Thank goodness for those stuck Thanks for your reporting!
couple of dramatic daytime photos https://www.noozhawk.com/articles/highway_101_shut_down_in_carpinteria_due_to_fire_alongside_fr eeway
couple of dramatic daytime photos https://www.noozhawk.com/articles/highway_101_shut_down_in_carpinteria_due_to_fire_alongside_fr eeway
Maybe the "Unknown ETA to open" was for Via Real. The NB side is now open.
Maybe the "Unknown ETA to open" was for Via Real. The NB side is now open.
Pretty weird; I'll be interested to hear about the cause.
Pretty weird; I'll be interested to hear about the cause.
Reignited. Shutting down NB again at Bailard.
Reignited. Shutting down NB again at Bailard.
"Merry Christmas. Sh**ter was full."
"Merry Christmas. Sh**ter was full."
Looks like plastics and/or oils burning. It will be interesting to see how this happened as it is a rather large fire.
Looks like plastics and/or oils burning. It will be interesting to see how this happened as it is a rather large fire.
Shutting down NB 101 again, smoke and flames
Shutting down NB 101 again, smoke and flames
Between Casitas Pass and Bailard
Between Casitas Pass and Bailard
4:01 AM 14 [28] 1039 ENTAC 4:00 AM 13 [27] C29-201 NOTIFY ENTAC OF THE CLOSURE 2:31 AM 12 [21] 1039 SBSO 2:29 AM 11 [20] C29-401 NB LNS SHUT 2:19 AM 10 [19] WHEN CT SUP CONTACT MADE CONTACT MONT FIRE TO LINK W/ INCIDENT COMMAND 2:12 AM 9 [15] C29-401 REQ CT FOR CLOSURE 2:11 AM 8 [14] C29-401 FIRE REQ SHUT DOWN NB LNS / SB OPEN // ENRT TO DIVERT TRFC TOWARDS BAILORD / FIRE ADVSD CLOSURE POSS A FEW HRS UNK DURATION 2:04 AM 7 [12] [Notification] [CHP]-MONT FIRE LL REQ CT SUPERVISOR [Shared] 1:50 AM 6 [11] C29-401 FIRE HAS NB TO CP OFR SHUT DOWN // ADVSING MIGHT NEED TO SHUT DOWN FWY AGAIN 1:43 AM 5 [10] MONT FIRE LL POSS RE IGNITION // REQ CHP 1:37 AM 4 [6] PER ADDTL SB JSO BAILARD BLK SMOKE COMING OO GROUND// ODOR IN AREA TRANS MONT FIRE 1:28 AM 3 [4] TRANS MONT FIRE 1:28 AM 2 [3] SMOKE GETTING DRK 1:28 AM 1 [2] SMOKE COMING FRM VENT IN CD
4:01 AM 14 [28] 1039 ENTAC 4:00 AM 13 [27] C29-201 NOTIFY ENTAC OF THE CLOSURE 2:31 AM 12 [21] 1039 SBSO 2:29 AM 11 [20] C29-401 NB LNS SHUT 2:19 AM 10 [19] WHEN CT SUP CONTACT MADE CONTACT MONT FIRE TO LINK W/ INCIDENT COMMAND 2:12 AM 9 [15] C29-401 REQ CT FOR CLOSURE 2:11 AM 8 [14] C29-401 FIRE REQ SHUT DOWN NB LNS / SB OPEN // ENRT TO DIVERT TRFC TOWARDS BAILORD / FIRE ADVSD CLOSURE POSS A FEW HRS UNK DURATION 2:04 AM 7 [12] [Notification] [CHP]-MONT FIRE LL REQ CT SUPERVISOR [Shared] 1:50 AM 6 [11] C29-401 FIRE HAS NB TO CP OFR SHUT DOWN // ADVSING MIGHT NEED TO SHUT DOWN FWY AGAIN 1:43 AM 5 [10] MONT FIRE LL POSS RE IGNITION // REQ CHP 1:37 AM 4 [6] PER ADDTL SB JSO BAILARD BLK SMOKE COMING OO GROUND// ODOR IN AREA TRANS MONT FIRE 1:28 AM 3 [4] TRANS MONT FIRE 1:28 AM 2 [3] SMOKE GETTING DRK 1:28 AM 1 [2] SMOKE COMING FRM VENT IN CD
Oh no no no, I am shocked they chose to use firefighting foam in a pipe that flows to natural waterways!! Firefighting foam contains PFAS, aka "forever" chemicals that never break down and is a major source of environmental (and human!) harm. It is extremely nasty, cancer-causing stuff. Once it gets into natural aquifers and wells, that is it, they are contaminated FOREVER. It was only an approved discharge due to the emergency situation, even then I wish someone would have thought more about the implications and the true level of "emergency"...I hope they will not repeat this treatment and will go the water route again if it flares up. These chemicals are the worst of the worst.
Oh no no no, I am shocked they chose to use firefighting foam in a pipe that flows to natural waterways!! Firefighting foam contains PFAS, aka "forever" chemicals that never break down and is a major source of environmental (and human!) harm. It is extremely nasty, cancer-causing stuff. Once it gets into natural aquifers and wells, that is it, they are contaminated FOREVER. It was only an approved discharge due to the emergency situation, even then I wish someone would have thought more about the implications and the true level of "emergency"...I hope they will not repeat this treatment and will go the water route again if it flares up. These chemicals are the worst of the worst.
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